New Stamp collector. Need help:)

Question

My friend and I want to start stamp collecting. I was reading a book called BLUBBER by judy blume, and in it, it said stuff about stamp collecting.

Here are some questions we want to know:

what supplies do we need?

How much are stamps?

Is there a special book we put them in?

A website where there are stamps (under 5.99 is that's a good amount)

Some places in the U.S. (Michigan) where we could go to buy stamps

I looked up some resolved questions about stamp collecting. One said go to your local post office. What would i go there for exactly? And and any other additional info would help:)

Thanks much!!!

Answer 1

Hello.....

To get started the only supplies you really need are:

1. an album to store your collection. A good one for any beginner who wants to collect US stamps can be found here:http://www.whitmanbooks.com/Default.aspx...

If you are interested in worldwide stamps, this would be a good beginners album, it also contains space for US stamps so you do not necessarily need a second one for US material.

http://www.whitmanbooks.com/Default.aspx...

2. a pair of tongs to handle your stamps without damaging them, they are available in two sizes, 4 1/2" & 6" found for $4-$8.00

here's a look at one of the smaller types: http://cgi.ebay.com/Tongs-Straight-Round...

3. stamp hinges, to mount your stamps. Here's a look at one offer: http://cgi.ebay.com/FACTORY-FRESH-PRINZ-... There a a variety of makers and can generally be found for about $2-$3.00 per 1000.

There are other mounts available for protecting better items, but there is nothing wrong with using hinges on inexpensive stamps.

As for where to find stamps and other collecting material, every day mail from family & friends, some businesses will also be willing to save the stamp corner from in-coming mail......all free stamps for a collector........ebay has literally thousands of sellers and there are just as many other on-line sites that can be found by Googling "stamps for collectors" or "stamp sellers".  You can also go to your local Post Office to buy new issues, but many times not all stamps are sold individually, and they may have some pamphlets about the hobby.

Here's a link to a FREE stamp club (no dues) that can provide you with a great amount information. There are members of all ages, both men & women, many beginners and a number of long time collectors that are very willing to answer any question you might have about the hobby. Some members provide gifts of stamps to new members, and trading material between members is very popular. http://www.stampcommunity.org/default.as...

The cost of stamps and other collectable material.............There are many, many stamps both US & worldwide that can be found for as little as several for a penny, to many thousands of dollars each and everything in-between. It really depends on exactly what you want to collect. The variety and abundence of material available for collectors is amazing.

Local shops ???....There are not as many stamps shops as there used to be, I am not familiar with Michigan, but you might have some luck looking for Coin Shops in your local phone books. Many coin shops also sell stamps and other philatelic material.

Here's a link to my ebay stamp store. Please check my feedback to see comments from others. http://stores.ebay.com/Toms-Stamp-Shop

Tom

Answer 2

Oh you naive turkey burger..haha me and babygirl are friends..don't worry we are just messing around.. I liked your answer for the dog treat question..score 1 for the turkey burger..haha again me and babygirl are friends we are just messing around:)

Answer 3

You could go to the local post office to purchase current issues of stamps.

The United States Post Office is a great resource for stamp collectors.

Go to their web site:

http://shop.usps.com/webapp/wcs/stores/s...

There are answers to all of the questions that you asked there.

Buying older stamps takes a little more knowledge. you should probably try to locate a local stamp collecting group and go to some stamp shows so that you can learn more about stamps.

Answer 4

This site has some interesting articles on stamp collecting.